Real Costs of Living in Hawaii: Energy

If you’re considering a move to Hawaii, brace yourself. Hawaii has the highest energy prices in the United States. Given its remote location, heavy reliance on imported oil and creaky infrastructure, this is no big surprise. But the actual rates for residential electricity or a gallon of gas are shockingly high and continue to skyrocket.

But if you live on the Mainland and feel the squeeze of expensive energy in your neighborhood, you might take a little comfort in these eye-popping numbers from Hawaii.

On the island of Hawai’i (the Big Island):

1 gallon of gas (87, the cheap stuff) = $4.06

1 kilowatt hour of electricity = 39 cents

On the island of Kaua’i:

1 gallon of gas (87, the cheap stuff) = $4.22

1 kilowatt hour of electricity = 39.8 cents

On the island of Maui:

1 gallon of gas (87, the cheap stuff) = $4.41

1 kilowatt hour of electricity =36.4 cents

On the island of O’ahu:

1 gallon of gas (87, the cheap stuff) =$4.05

1 kilowatt hour of electricity = 35 cents

By comparison, the average Mainland price for a gallon of gas is $3.60. Residential electricity ranges from a low of 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour in Phoenix to 20.2 cents per kilowatt hour in Boston.